Day 1 finished at Kuwait International Rally

Round 2 of Middle East Rally Championship turned to a disappointment for Seashore Qatar Rally Team on its first day. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and his co-driver Nasser Al Kuwari made a good start and clocked second time on 12.2 Km long event opener. Duo decided to stick on their position and secured their 2nd overall place after 2 stages. As they leave service park for 3rd stage, Al Kuwari brothers targeting the podium place but they would have to give up on their desicion. On 3rd stage, they lost alternator belt which is also connected to water circulation system. As the system stop cooling, sportsmen had to retire beacuse of engine failure of their Mini JCW.

Former champion Nasser Al Attiyah is leading the rally from the beginning. After Al Kuwari brothers' retirement Khalid Al Suwaidi climbed up to second place.

Crews will challenge 6 more stages on sunday and Kuwait International Rally will finish with the podium ceremony at Safir Hotel

Kuwait International Rally continued with 6 special stages today. Rain, hard wind and sand clouds forced crews to make mistakes. Seashore Qatar Rally Team drivers Al Kuwari brothers retired on 3rd stage as they lost Mini JCW's alternator belt which leads to stop water circulation and engine failure with over heat. Duo was second overall just behind Nasser Al Attiyah when they retired. Burcu Çetinkaya and Cicek Guney struggled with power loss and tyre choices but still managed to finish the day one. On Special Stage 4, Burcu clocked the best time in Group N and back in competition. They parked the EVOX in parc ferme at the end of day one as they occupy 8th overall position.

Young Orcun Polat and his co-driver Ufuk Uluocak, had hard times as they lost their clutch. They had to change seats, lost in the stage and came back on track,stuck on a sand bank and lost time til they rescue themselves. Despite all these problems, crew managed to reach last service and parc ferme afterwards.

Meshal Al Nejadi finished the day 8th overall at the steer of his EVOIX. He will be cautious and keep the tempo to get more points in order to get Kuwait Chammionship title.

6 more stages are wating for crews on day 2 in Kuwait. sudden changes on weather conditions, rough surface and harsh competition will be waiting for teams tomorrow. The even will end at 17:00 with finish podium in Safir Hotel.



2012-12-31